Hispanic Pentecostal Leaders Urge Extension of TPS for Salvadoran Immigrants

On September 8, 2026, approximately 50 Hispanic Pentecostal bishops and leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., to request that the Trump administration extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadoran immigrants. The program, which provides legal status and work authorization to over 170,000 individuals, was scheduled to expire on September 9. The event was organized by the Confraternity of Pentecostal Entities of the Americas (CEPA), a coalition representing over 21,000 congregations across 36 U.S. states and Latin America.

Participants described the meeting as a pastoral and spiritual effort rather than a political one. Leaders highlighted the impact of immigration enforcement on their communities, reporting that 19 pastors and nearly 200 church members have been detained or deported. Drawing on biblical principles, speakers emphasized the sanctity of life and the necessity of treating immigrants with dignity. While acknowledging the biblical call to respect civil authorities, the group’s statement argued that righteous governance requires justice and protection for the oppressed. The leaders expressed a desire to collaborate with the government to find long-term solutions for those affected.